Video: Military police company headed to Iraq gets rousing sendoff

The soldiers of the 772nd Military Police Company got a rousing sendoff Wednesday morning as they prepared to begin a year-long deployment to Iraq.

Gerry Tuoti

The soldiers of the 772nd Military Police Company got a rousing sendoff Wednesday morning as they prepared to begin a year-long deployment to Iraq.

“It humbles me every time I think that you have chosen to put yourselves in harm’s way for the rest of us,” Gov. Deval Patrick told the troops during a ceremony at Taunton Green.

“You honor us by your example of service and sacrifice,” he continued. “God bless you all.”

Hundreds, many waving American flags and holding signs displaying their support, lined the area around the Green. Emotions swelled as an assortment of color guards marched down Main Street, trailed by the 187 men and women of the 772nd.

“Seeing you turn that corner onto the Green, I got chills,” state Rep. Stephen Canessa, D-New Bedford, told the troops. “What an incredible sight to see you all turn that corner in unison.”

The soldiers in the Taunton-based Army National Guard company will now leave for training at Fort Dix, N.J., before shipping out to Iraq, where they will train Iraqi police officers and security personnel.

That task will help “establish the mechanisms of modern law enforcement that will endure long past this mission and this war,” Maj. Gen. Joseph Carter said.

The send-off provided the soldiers in the 772nd one last chance to see their loved ones before beginning their deployment.

Sgt. William Craig of Framingham was joined by his mother, Jeanne Diamond, his aunt, Michelle Diamond, and many other family members.

“I’m worried,” the mother said. “I just want them all back safe.”

Ann and Bob Merritt, the grandmother and uncle of Sgt. Christopher Willis, took a 7 a.m. ferry from Martha’s Vineyard to make it to Taunton for the ceremony.

“This is his third tour,” the uncle said. “The first was Afghanistan, and the second was Iraq.”

The grandmother said the sergeant was carrying on a proud family tradition of military service.

“My husband served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam,” she said. “It runs in the family.”

Mayor Charles Crowley described the history of the company, which began in 1639 as the Taunton militia. He then recalled the significance of the Taunton Green, which is where a group of patriots in 1774 raised the “Liberty and Union” flag in defiance of the British crown.

Crowley then presented to soldiers with a “Liberty and Union” flag “so that the courage, character and patriotism established here centuries ago will be carried with you.”

He handed the flag to Capt. Derek Baran, commander of the 772nd, who made an appeal to the soldiers’ families.

“Please take care of business at home while your loved ones are away,” he said. “Through your positive efforts at home, my soldiers will have a clean mind to perform their mission.”

He also asked his troops to “take care of each other, watch each other’s backs and do the right thing all the time.”

State Rep. James Fagan, D-Taunton, said the city is proud to host the 772nd.

”You represent the very best of our country,” he told the troops.

His colleague, state Rep. Patricia Haddad, D-Somerset, offered the soldiers her “personal prayers.”

Like the other speakers, U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., offered his thanks to the soldiers. He also said that disagreeing with the country’s foreign policy should not prohibit anyone from supporting the troops.

“None of that diminishes the gratitude we feel for those of you who answered the call to put yourselves in harm’s way,” he said.

Frank also singled out the family of Shane Duffy, a local soldier who was killed in action in Iraq earlier this year, saying that the community owes them a tremendous debt.

“There aren’t any words any of us can offer to express what we truly feel,” he said.

Lt. Col. Richard Johnson commended the men and women who volunteered to serve, particularly the ones who have already served on prior tours of duty overseas.

“It could be argued that this is the new greatest generation,” he said.

Several other speakers, including various elected officials, wished the soldiers well.

“Godspeed to each and every one of you,” state Sen. Marc Pacheco, D-Taunton, told the soldiers. “We all look forward with anticipation that every single one of you will be back here for a welcome home in the not-to-distant future.”

Links

Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted.
Wicked Local Provincetown ~ P.O. Box 977 Provincetown, MA 02657 ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service